Gerry celebrates 40 years attending RehabCare in Dundalk

There were big celebrations at RehabCare in Dundalk last week, with Gerry O'Callaghan marking 40 years attending the centre, and Dundalk Democrat photographer, Arthur Kinahan was there to capture the excitement.

There was balloons a big banner and of course a cake, to help celebrate the occasion. At the party, Gerry looked back on the many activities and trips he took part in over the years, his work, and the support he has received from all those at RehabCare

Facilitator at RehabCare in Dundalk, Geraldine McGuinness, told the Dundalk Democrat that they even had a full cardboard cut-out of Elvis at the party, as Gerry is a real Elvis fan. “All his family and friends attended”, Geraldine added, “and the guys here from the centre were in on the day as well”.

_{Below: Gerry O'Callaghan with past staff member, Katie Fox, who helped Gerry compile his memories with RehabCare}

One big surprise for Gerry at the party was a framed message from RTE presenter Miriam O'Callaghan. Geraldine explained that Gerry is “a Miriam O'Callaghan fan, a huge fan of hers. We had contacted her and she had sent a message down and we framed it and presented it to him. That was a big surprise for him.”

Geraldine shares some of the details of what Gerry does as well as his activities at the centre. “Gerry would volunteer on a local farm out in Cooley. “He comes and goes [to the centre]. It's like a pop in centre.

“He comes in and will do some programmes with us. He is here and he will have his lunch with us, and just meet his friends. It's just like a drop-in centre for him. He's here probably three to four times a week.”

_{Below: Gerry O'Callaghan cutting the cake to mark his 40th year in RehabCare}

Geraldine goes on to say that there are a good number of people who attend the centre in Dundalk. “There are days where there would be a good few here. It would be like a pop in centre for them all to come in and mingle and enjoy and socialise and get involved with programmes like relaxation and reflexology”, and “a little bit of literacy, lots of different things, to sort of get them out and about and keep them occupied.”

“They do a serious amount with them [here]. There's programmes for all of them set out. Geraldine continues, explaining the activities and the things that help those attending have a say in what they do, including “walking, where they're doing a five km walk”, and adds, “we would have a team meeting with them every week, where they can voice what they want to do.”

The very best wishes to Gerry and all at RehabCare in Dundalk!